Ch. 4: Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology

Reflection of Chapter 4: The Development of American Schooling

Before reading this chapter I hadn't given too much thought into the development of American schooling. All I really knew was that it has come a long way. I learned that American schooling began with apprenticeships. Basically, children were taught what they needed to know (or what their parents thought they needed to know) by family or friends. For example, if the family owned a business, children would learn things to keep the business running. If the family owned a farm, children would learn things to keep the farm successful.  Until finally the Universal Schooling movement when education shifted from family and friends to the state. Children could now go to school and learn specific subjects such as reading and writing. It was no longer the task of parents to educate their children, but tasks of teachers. The section universal schooling movement in the chapter reinforced my thoughts that school is something we should be grateful for. As a future educator, I think schools should be positive places. Too often students forget how important school is, and that it is something to be grateful for.

 Also, America has gone through a cycle of revolutions which shaped the American education system into what it is today. Currently, we are undergoing a technology revolution. Therefore, our society is changing and we need to prepare students for their future in a world in which technology is everywhere. I hope to incorporate technology into my future classrooms, even in early grades, so that students are better prepared for their future in our society.